Ideal Holidays in Thailand

About Me

After my visit to Khao Lak I felt an immediate urge to return. The various attractions offered a slower paced, yet still fulfilling trip. As exciting as it is to go from one party to the next I found this was a different type of excitement. Read More...

Khao Lak, a series of peaceful, picturesque villages of Thailand where chitter-chatter of birds will sing good morning to you and the sea-beach breeze will evanesce your daylong perturbs. Khao Lak has grown to a predominant tourist spot for its divinely scenic beauty and rural simplicity. Khao Lak, the meaning of this name is ‘Lak Mountain’. It is something self-explanatory about the fact that this place is a chain of hilly mountains. Based on an export-dependent economy, Khao Lak offers you more half a dozen of Golden beaches with excellent view and maintenance. Nang Thong Beach, Khuk Khak, Khao Lak Beach, Bang Sak, Bang Sak are the most prominent beaches of Khao Lak. These beaches are not only beautiful but are facilitated with all kinds of amenities like resort, restaurants, spa, activity house and what not! Let’s know more about some of the best hotels in Khao Lak.

Bangsak Village is a resort with all kinds of modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, Outdoor pool, free parking, Restaurant, Spa and wellness centre, Non-smoking rooms etc. It is some 5 minutes walk from Khao Lak beach. There are 3 types of room accommodation they are offering you.

Sensimar Khaolak Beachfront Resort is just a couple of minutes away from the beach. You will surely love this resort because of amenities like free Wi-Fi zone, Fitness centre Windsurfing, great pool area, Library. They are currently offering 6types of room accommodation.

The Leaf Oceanside is as wonderful as its name. Palm trees are there to embrace you. Besides, Fitness centre, Spa and wellness centre, free parking are available there as expected. One child below 5 years when sharing any existing bed and one child below 2 years in a child’s crib is absolutely free. There are 4types of room accommodation to pick up the most suitable for you.

Baan Krating Khao Lak Resort is here to offer you a complete peaceful ambience with a natural view and brilliant maintenance. It is merely 6 to 7 minutes walk from the sea beach. Restaurant, free parking, outdoor pool are some of the top amenities where you are getting a couple of choices in room type to choose from.

The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani, with 5-6 minutes walking distance from Khao Lak beach and drive of a single hour to Phuket International Airport, is constructed with Tennis court, Fitness centre, Games room, free private parking, rooms with separate balconies, DVD player, iPod docking station and free Wi-Fi. There are beautifully planned 4 different kinds of room verities to choose from.

How mysterious is our world! There was a time when sunset and sunrise were a chasm of a conundrum to our saggy forefathers. Lightning, which is now a subject of photography to most of us, was a curse from the omnipotent for our ancestors. They begged to divine for mercy. Science and technology have gone to distance, we must and we DO admit. But, could science answer all the mysteries? Certainly not. The anchorpersons of science themselves admit that is the world is a sea-beach full of sand, you can grab a fistful of sand and that is the amount science could have answered till date.

If you are interested in interesting facts, you have surely used your search engine in searching “mysterious places in the world” and some top of the search results has shown you Magnetic Hill, Moncton, New Brunswick, Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand, Surtsey, Iceland, Blood Falls, Antarctica or Longyearbyen, Norway to quench your thirst but have you ever heard the name of Khao Lak on this list? Quite unknown, nah? People say, “Everything that glitters is not gold”; we say that something that may not glitter can be also gold.

Khao Lak, a series of peaceful, picturesque villages of Thailand where chitter-chatter of birds will sing good morning to you and the sea-beach breeze will evanesce your daylong perturbs. Khao Lak has grown to a predominant tourist spot for its divinely scenic beauty and rural simplicity. Being a hushed abode of thousands of rare flowers, it vividly graphitise a slice of heaven. Orchid, the blossom of heaven completes the circle. Khaolak Orchid Garden and Khaolak Butterfly Farm is the habitat of numerous Orchids. Let’s have a Q&A session. Tell me, what’s the biggest flower in the world? Ok, ok, pardon my audacity. I know you keep a deep wisdom about these things; it’s Rafflesia, with a diameter up to 1 meter. But I know one thing more, now you are wondering how fantasizing would be the moment if you could visit the flower! What are you waiting for when Khao Lak has kept everything prepared for your visit? Yes, Rafflesia, also called ‘Flesh Flower’ or ‘Meat Flower’ is available in Khao Lak rapidly. Not only one or two, in Khao lak, you can see up to 30 types of Rafflesia species there. Not only its gigantic size, but also the tactic how it emits smell of ‘rotten flesh’ to attract the insects and therefore have a hearty meal with them, is also a thing to witness awfully. Besides, there are practically thousands of forest flowers to amaze you.

So, do you want to have the first hand experience of these mysterious awe-striking flowers or want to mere read this article on your laptop lolling on sofa? The choice is yours.

What is a sea-beach? If you search over the internet, it will amply show you numerous search results including photos, videos, description and what not! But, these are mere some highbrow literary meanings, we all know. Sea-beaches are something much more that is adjacent to our personal lives and some mesmerising memories. To some, beach is limitless fun with pals, to some; it is the canvas where the duo has signed in some fanciful agreement of love, trust and togetherness while it brings the reminiscences of the childhood trip to some other.

Khao Lak, that’s literary meaning is ‘Lak Mountain’ is a chain of villages on the heart of Thailand. No, no, no, don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t assume it from my uttering ‘a village’ a chain of the huts with lanterns. Khao Lak can at ease compete and beat any internationally recognised visiting spots of the world with its dazzling picturesque views and adventurous tourist points. Scuba, snorkelling, wildlife and nature tour, Ton Chong Fa Waterfall, International Tsunami Museum all are here to make your holidays at Khao Lak the most memorable of your ‘tour series’. But, above all, there are a number of beaches here in Khao Lak that is the most tourist attracting charm of the spot.

Khao Lak Beach is the most important and central beach of Thailand where ocean blue crystal clear water and fine golden sands confidante each other and whistling breeze sings the saga of eternal love to the tourists’ ears. The shade of Palm tree and pleasant sunray- what can be in more harmony? There are a series of leaf-made tanning couches to let you relax too!

La on Village – Nang Thong Beach in the middle of the genuine Khao Lak and Bang Niang beaches, Nang Thong Beach is unforgettable for its divine view of sunrise and sunset in the soul of Andaman Sea. There are a number of dignified resorts and lodges to stay in beside the beach. Shopaholic? Oh my God! Which girl is not! Then it’s surely going to be a permanent stay throughout your entire holiday. Throughout the entire beach and the adjacent area, there are a pretty lavish number of food stalls to choose from according to your taste and multiple numbers of shopping stalls and who are planning for any excuse, there are multiple ATMs too.

Bang Niang Beach and its adjacent areas are one of the most rapidly urbanising areas of Thailand’s other dominant tourist spots in terms of restaurants, resorts, infrastructures, shopping complex and maintenance. Apart from awe striking scenic beauty and cleanliness of the beach, it is a pretty good option to stay during your lavish holidays.

Khao lak, means “Lak Mountain” is a series of uninvolved rural colony in a hilly region that has become one of the top tourist attracting spot of Thailand because of its divine picturesque beauty. Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is another chunk of attraction to the visitors. Scuba Diving is one of the rarest adventurous rides that are limited to very few tourist spots of the world, fortunately Khao Lak being one of them. The natural-born undisturbed atmosphere is one more thing to attract the tourists. But do you know, such a prepossessing and benign place too has some deepest secrets which we want to whisper into your ear before other five get to know about them.

Tsunami, the single term which is capable of portraying a devastating ravage of nature at her most vexed mood, had hit Khao Lak in the year 2004. Significantly, the day was that year’s Boxing Day, a religious holiday.

Festivities to dazzle you up are organised there throughout the entire year. Entirely different from your cosmopolitan enjoyment, these out of the box festivities will seem to you a ball of fresh air in the midst of your monotonous concrete-wrapped lifestyle. Festivals like seven day annual event, Turtle release at Thai Muang Beach,Chakri, Chinese New Year, Her Majesty’s Birthday, Chinese New Year, Chulalongkorn Day, Constitution Day and much more left unmentioned.

Similan Islands is a group of islands, some of these which are situated on the southern part of Thailand. It is as a whole identified as a national park consisting of 11 consecutive islands. Needless to say, the spot is blessed with unmatched natural seductress elements and also full of rare marine creatures. It is one of the very few places where you can go for a full pure dive trip under the crystal clear water. Spending some hours there with pals in a tent will always stay in your bucket of rare experiences.

We sincerely wish you the best of your respective career and we too acknowledge that you work in red tapism throughout the year and yes, you do worth it. But aren’t you worth of walking in bare foot with a group of monks through the sea-shore? Yes, nature mother is waiting for you with her unimpeachable innocent children.

Khuk Khak beach is going to be one of the best beaches you have ever visited. The shade of Palm tree and pleasant sunray- what can be in more harmony? Part from crystal clear water, excellent maintenance, there are a bunch of resorts with all modern amenities. Not only fooding and lodging, these resorts are structured with activity zone, spa, recreation house and what not!

White Water Rafting, you may not have tried this unless you are a keen travel worm and acute adventurous person. But yes, not as a seasonal adventure, Khao Lak is offering you White Water Rafting opportunity throughout the year.

It is the time of year when weddings are being planned and love is being celebrated. No matter why a couple is looking for a wonderful and romantic holiday, Khao Lak, Thailand is definitely one of the most prized destinations.

Khao Lak area is made up of eight villages located approximately 45 miles north of the Phuket International Airport, which sits on the island of Phuket. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, the area also is known for its quiet, up-scale, and secluded destination resorts. For this very reason, Khao Lak is also a destination site for honeymooners and those wanting private and intimate holidays.

Not sure where to start your search? We’ve searched for five of the most romantic resorts in the Khao Lak area:

Chongfah Beach Resort – Chongfah Beach Resort is considered a small boutique resort. With amazing views of the Andaman Sea, this is a resort that has romance written all over it. Accommodations will fit any occasion with 16 private deluxe rooms, six deluxe bungalows and eight sea view bungalows.

There is no need to leave your room since room service is available from 7am – 7pm. Yet, if a romantic dinner is in the air, the Seaborn Restaurant sits on the shore of the sea. Imagine eating dinner with the one you love while being serenaded with the calming sounds of the sea.

The Sarojin – Not only does the Sarojin drip with romance, but it is surrounded by comfort and opulence. Accommodations at the Sarojin are made for those celebrating love. Not only are there 28 one-bedroom residences, there are also 14 one-bedroom suites overlooking private gardens and 14 one bedroom pool suites overlooking both a private garden and private pool.

When one thinks that there could not be more to offer, the Sarojin rises to the occasion. With four different dining options, guests have the ability to choose from casual bar atmosphere to exceptional Thai and Mediterranean cuisines.

Anda Mani Khao Lak Private Residences – If quiet and intimacy is the key for your holiday, this may be the destination of your dreams. With only nine rooms, the Anda Mani Khao Lak is definitely private and intimate. Although there are dining facilities on site, each room is large enough to accommodate a private dining area if the couple chooses.

In addition to the opulent and private rooms, Anda Mani Khao offers a spa and wellness center that can be enjoyed from 8am to 8pm every day of the week. This hotel is the ultimate in privacy, relaxation, and romance.

Ramada Khao Lak Resort – The Ramada Khao Lak Resort has both romance and contemporary styling throughout the facility. Guests have the choice of three different suite options: Deluxe Oasis – each with a private balcony, Deluxe Lani – each with a private garden, Deluxe Jacuzzi Suites – complete with a private in-room Jacuzzi. If more romance is desired, there is the Ocean View Villas with unparalleled views of the ocean.

With three dining options and a pool bar, guests have a wealth of choices in both cuisine and fun.

Casa de La Flora – Toted as one of the most contemporary hotels in Khao Lak, the Casa de La Flora also rivals the others in romance. This is a “villa only” hotel giving guests diverse options in accommodations from both one- and two- bedroom villa choices. Many of the villas include two-person bathtubs and private pools. The most romantic villas open up to the beautiful views of the Andaman Sea.

The Casa de La Flora is an excellent choice for those couples who desire to explore the area. Daily guided sea and land excursions are options that can be added to any villa reservation.

5 Most Romantic Holiday Getaways in Khao Lak, Thailand

It is the time of year when weddings are being planned and love is being celebrated. No matter why a couple is looking for a wonderful and romantic holiday, Khao Lak, Thailand is definitely one of the most prized destinations.

Khao Lak area is made up of eight villages located approximately 45 miles north of the Phuket International Airport, which sits on the island of Phuket. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, the area also is known for its quiet, up-scale, and secluded destination resorts. For this very reason, Khao Lak is also a destination site for honeymooners and those wanting private and intimate holidays.

Not sure where to start your search? We’ve searched for five of the most romantic resorts in the Khao Lak area:

Chongfah Beach Resort – Chongfah Beach Resort is considered a small boutique resort. With amazing views of the Andaman Sea, this is a resort that has romance written all over it. Accommodations will fit any occasion with 16 private deluxe rooms, six deluxe bungalows and eight sea view bungalows.

There is no need to leave your room since room service is available from 7am – 7pm. Yet, if a romantic dinner is in the air, the Seaborn Restaurant sits on the shore of the sea. Imagine eating dinner with the one you love while being serenaded with the calming sounds of the sea.

The Sarojin – Not only does the Sarojin drip with romance, but it is surrounded by comfort and opulence. Accommodations at the Sarojin are made for those celebrating love. Not only are there 28 one-bedroom residences, there are also 14 one-bedroom suites overlooking private gardens and 14 one bedroom pool suites overlooking both a private garden and private pool.

When one thinks that there could not be more to offer, the Sarojin rises to the occasion. With four different dining options, guests have the ability to choose from casual bar atmosphere to exceptional Thai and Mediterranean cuisines.

Anda Mani Khao Lak Private Residences – If quiet and intimacy is the key for your holiday, this may be the destination of your dreams. With only nine rooms, the Anda Mani Khao Lak is definitely private and intimate. Although there are dining facilities on site, each room is large enough to accommodate a private dining area if the couple chooses.

In addition to the opulent and private rooms, Anda Mani Khao offers a spa and wellness center that can be enjoyed from 8am to 8pm every day of the week. This hotel is the ultimate in privacy, relaxation, and romance.

Ramada Khao Lak Resort – The Ramada Khao Lak Resort has both romance and contemporary styling throughout the facility. Guests have the choice of three different suite options: Deluxe Oasis – each with a private balcony, Deluxe Lani – each with a private garden, Deluxe Jacuzzi Suites – complete with a private in-room Jacuzzi. If more romance is desired, there is the Ocean View Villas with unparalleled views of the ocean.

With three dining options and a pool bar, guests have a wealth of choices in both cuisine and fun.

Casa de La Flora – Toted as one of the most contemporary hotels in Khao Lak, the Casa de La Flora also rivals the others in romance. This is a “villa only” hotel giving guests diverse options in accommodations from both one- and two- bedroom villa choices. Many of the villas include two-person bathtubs and private pools. The most romantic villas open up to the beautiful views of the Andaman Sea.

The Casa de La Flora is an excellent choice for those couples who desire to explore the area. Daily guided sea and land excursions are options that can be added to any villa reservation.

Although many of the resorts in Khao Lak remain open all year, the Dry Season (November to April) remains the most popular time for visiting, with the Christmas and New Year holidays being particularly popular (but consequently more expensive). This part of Thailand does have a tropical climate and in the Wet Season showers may be fierce but are rarely long lasting. The sun can be intense at any time of the year.

Off season excursions may appeal to the tranquility seekers or those looking for a bargain but at all events prepare for the heat by wearing a hat, using appropriate sunscreen and consuming adequate supplies of water.

If you do come between May and October, be prepared for some of the bars and restaurants to be closed and the sea conditions to be unfavorable for bathing. Also tours to the nearby islands may not be available during this period. It is wise to check with your hotel.

Things to Do

Once you have made it to the beautiful Thai region of Khao Lak, you will undoubtedly want to make the most of your visit and without a shadow of a doubt there is something here for everyone.

Beaches

The beach enthusiast will be delighted with the 25 km stretch of beautiful white sands which face the Andaman Sea. The sea is warm for bathing but be aware of local conditions by checking with your hotel or the local life guards. Also be conscious of the dangers of the tropical sun, especially during the midday period. In most resorts you can hire a sun shade for a few baht.

Diving and Snorkeling

There are world class sites for both these activities off the nearby Similian, Surin and Tachai Islands. Boats leave at regular intervals from Tap Lamu Pier (about 25 minutes’ drive from Khao Lak Town). You can get more details from any of the local travel companies. It is possible to learn to Scuba Dive locally and you can shop around for good value courses. Snorkeling is a cheaper alternative and it is also superb here. Whichever method you choose, the tranquil crystal clear waters will give you hours of sea-life observing pleasure.

Walking

There are many beautiful walks in the nearby Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park or you can walk to one the waterfalls at Lampi or Chong Fah. Pick up a tourist leaflet to get routes and maps. Naturally the walks along the beautiful beaches are magnificent.

Markets

There is a night market at the town of Bang Niang on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. As is the custom in Thai markets, it is expected that a little bargaining should take place and the price the vendor first quotes may be his own wishful thinking. However, it is good to remember these are industrious people who need to earn a living. There is nothing to be gained by haggling to the last baht. If you want the item, think about what it might cost in your own country! As always a smile goes a long way in the bargaining process.

Food

Thai food is world famous and local chefs in Khao Lak pride themselves on their ability in the oven or on the wok. You will get delicious food in many local restaurants. If you are a sea food lover you will appreciate the freshly caught local delicacies. Keep an eye open for places where the locals eat and of course you should enjoy meals at some of the many beachfront restaurants watching the sun slip magnificently below the horizon.

Other Activities

There are many other attractions in the area including an elephant farm, a turtle conservation unit, Thai cookery or language lessons or maybe you just like to do a little people watching!

Whatever your tastes, you will not be disappointed by a visit to the wonderful region of Khao Lak.

If you are a frequent visitor to the fascinating country of Thailand, you might well be familiar with the Khao Lak area. If not, it is the perfect place to get an initial taste of the Kingdom, well dubbed the “Land of Smiles”.
Khao Lak is an area of natural beauty with uncrowded pristine white sand beaches, quiet coastal resorts and family friendly entertainment. There are no high rises here as local government ordinances forbid the building of any structure above the height of a coconut palm tree.

Khao Lak means “Lak Mountain” and this is one of the small peaks in the hilly surrounds (maximum height 1050 meters), but the name refers to the area as well as the mountain and also a small town. There are many villages and resorts included within the region.

How to Get There

Khao Lak Town, on Thai Highway 4 is a convenient place to start your visit, but it is likely that you will spend your time further afield. The town is really an administrative/stopover hub where you might plan your itinerary, change your money or organize local transport. There are numerous more tranquil beauty spots further along the coast.

Khao Lak Town lies approximately 60 kilometers north of the famous and well visited island of Phuket and many visitors will arrive in the vicinity at Phuket International Airport. Phuket itself is worth a visit but if you want some peace and tranquility from this lively sleepless resort island, head north along Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) on one of the air-conditioned buses to Khao Lak. If your budget allows you can take a taxi, although you should ask for an approximate price at the airport taxi stand before you travel.

If you can tolerate long distance bus rides you can get to Phuket directly and inexpensively from Bangkok on an air-con bus, or if time is short you can take one of many domestic flights which fly to and from the capital.

Economy

In recent years, tourism has become the mainstay of the local population of Khao Lak. Many locals work in shops, restaurants and hotels or are connected with the thriving diving industry. There are many high end resorts in the area but there are also good value choices for the budget conscious.

Agriculture (notably rice, rubber and palm oil) and fishing are also mainstays of the local population. Watching the fishing boats returning at sunset or ambling along the paths of well-tended paddy fields present great photo opportunities.

Tsunami of 2004

Any article on the area by necessity should mention the tsunami of December 2004. There were tragic and extensive consequences of this completely unforeseen disaster. Many of the coastal resorts were severely damaged or totally destroyed, resulting in tragic loss of life. The effectupon the lives of the local people in the Khao Lak area and upon the infrastructure were catastrophic. This, in an area which prior to 2004, was Thailand’s fastest growing development region.

Although it is still possible to see some evidence of the great wave damage, it is a credit to the spirit of achievement and entrepreneurship of the Thai people that significant repair and reconstruction to the damaged coastal resorts have taken place within the past decade. It is reassuring also that in the Khao Lak area, and all along the affected coast, there are signs and comprehensive evacuation plans in the unlikely event that a similar unexpected natural disaster should re-occur.

Tourists

Many of the frequent visitors to Khao Lak are Europeans, often from Scandinavia, Germany and the United Kingdom, but Thailand is truly an International destination and the local people will make you very welcome from wherever your origin. Your reasons for choosing Khao Lak in particular will be expanded upon in the next blog.

Khao Lak is series of gorgeous beaches along the Andaman Sea Coastline; numerous resorts and tourist facilities are available. If you’re planning a trip here, prepare yourself for impressive attractions that aren’t overwhelming. Enjoy various parks, mountains and roads, nearly untouched nature, and easy access to off shore diving without huge crowds. Join an increasing number of people who see that Khao Lak can support tourism without sacrificing Thai customs or their way of life. It isn’t the place for a wild bar scene but is the perfect place for families and nature lovers. The entire region straddles one of four major highways in Thailand and is forty-seven miles from the Phuket International Airport. For most of the year, April to November, is considered low season when there are even less tourists. This is the perfect holiday spot for first time tourists and experienced travelers a like.

The Villages

Bang La On is the most tourist-oriented of the three villages and is often mistaken as Khao Lak. There are plenty of shops, bars, restaurants to keep you busy along with a multitude of banks. There are sidewalks in this village that make shopping easier. If you travel by bus, be specific on your destination. You will be dropped off in this village when it might be many miles from your intended drop off point.

Bang La Niang is more of a quiet village than Bang La On. It has an outdoor market that’s open for three days a week. It’s recommended that you dress casually when visiting since it can get dusty or muddy depending on the weather. The town’s beach lives south of the market. This village is becoming an increasingly popular site for bars, discos, and other nighttime events.

Khuk Khak is the most “Thai” of the villages. It’s a center for the infrastructural supplies that keep resorts running. Only this village has a daily market and a tiny bus station. There are four beaches here that are completely worth the visit. Be careful when reading the brochures meant for tourists as many businesses will include their mailing address, which uses both the district and sub district. This may or may not tell you the business’s physical location.

Climate

The region is affected by monsoon winds from the north and southeast. The time between November and May are the driest, while June through October are the wettest; with the latter being the rainiest month of the year.

Rainfall numbers can be deceiving. It’s a popular opinion that the dry season is the best time to visit Khao Lak but rain often be localized, meaning one location can get a lot of rain but another location can be dry. Rainfall is most likely happen in the late afternoon or evening but that day would still be considered rainy. Just another fact to keep in mind when planning a trip.

During the wettest month some water based activities are restricted. You won’t be able to travel to the Surin and Similan islands. Storms come quickly and surprise you wherever you may be on the island. That being said there are still sunny days in between the way but keep an umbrella handy if you’re going to venture outside.

While visiting the Khao Lak region you will definitely want to see the Lam Ru National Park that covers seventy-seven miles of land and shows off just a fraction of Thailand’s beauty. Amazing sea cliffs, hills that tower above you, waterfalls and forested valley, and so much more come together to form nature’s own original painting. Before leaving tourists should visit one, or all, of the memorials for the 2004 monsoon that took countless inhabitant and tourists lives.

Many know the Khao Lak, Thailand area because of its serene beaches and its beautiful and intimate resorts. Yet, for the outdoor enthusiast this area has many unique and challenging venues. From riding elephant trekking to cycling through the islands, Khao Lak area of Thailand is filled with unparalleled beauty and options. Not all adventures need to be planned in advance; two of the options we found offer only day tours and require a 24-hour notice. So, if you are staying in one of Khao Lak’s beautiful resorts and choose to get out and see the land in a unique way, these options may be best suited for you.

We have found five of the must-see adventures in Khao Lak:

Eco Khao Lak Adventure – Eco Khao Lak Adventure is a multifaceted adventure company offering multiple packages to fit any guests request. If you are looking for a very hands-on and personalized experience, this is the group for you. Elephant trekking and waterfall exploration is the most popular day excursion. If you are looking for something a little bit more adventurous check out the day trips that include white water rafting and zip-lining through the jungle.

Eco Khao Lak Adventure also offers overnight excursions that include multiple day/multiple night stays on several of the surrounding islands. These excursions include scuba diving, guided hikes on the island, and beautiful sleeping accommodations.

Wicked Diving Khao Lak – For the serious diver, Wicked Diving may be more up your alley. With nine-day, two-week, and three-week excursions available, the experienced diver will be able to explore the many islands and waters of Indonesia. Most of the excursions can be started in Khao Lak and eventually traveling to different area islands and eventually surrounding cities.

Not sure you are up for the challenge of a multiple week excursion? Check out the Liveboard opportunities. As the name suggests, guests “live aboard” a sailing vessel for the length of the excursion. Guests can choose between one to seven day excursions.

Khao Lak Land Discovery – Looking for something that is more land-based? Khao Lak Land Discovery may be what you need. Offering single day as well as multiple day excursions exploring the islands around Thailand. There is no end to the number of different excursions available; from hiking to three Buddhist temples to off-road safari’s, Khao Lak Land Discovery is everything a land based adventurist could ask for. Most of these tours are multiple day adventures and almost all of them include some type of hiking or walking in remote areas of the Khao Lak area.

Khaolak Horse Club – What better way to see the beauty of Khao Lak than by horseback. This adventure is only available for day excursions; making this a better choice if reservations for an outdoor excursion were not made before arriving in Khao Lak. With rides taking guests on the beautiful sandy beaches or the rocky mountainous areas, there are beautiful sites for all to see. Khaolak Horse Club has nine horses available for guided tours making this a great family-friendly adventure.

Khaolak Cycling Tour – If cycling is your favorite mode of transportation, Khaolak Cycling Tour is for you. Since only day tours are available, this is a great outdoor activity for those guests who did not reserve an adventure component to their holiday plan since only day tours are available. One of the tours even gets you off the bike and in a canoe for a leg of the journey.

All tours include snacks, water, bike helmet, and bicycle so guests do not need to worry about bringing any cycling components with them. Each guided tour is labeled by the difficulty so choosing your level of adventure is easy.

Believe it or not, some people actually do not like Thai food! I know unbelievable right? If you are hesitant on traveling to Khao Lak, Thailand because you are one of these people do not let this stop you. We found five excellent restaurants in the Khao Lak area that serve non-Thai cuisines that will tantalize the taste buds of every discerning food connoisseur. If you are a fan of Thai food, these may still be a great try for something different during your holiday adventure. Each of the restaurants has received the coveted Tripadvisor.com Certificate of Excellence for at least one year.La Piccola Maria Pizzeria – That’s right, Italian pizza in Khao Lak! This is the first Italian restaurant on the beautiful Nang Thong Beach. Centrally located near the Sawanapalm and Sea View Resorts, the view from the restaurant is unbelievably beautiful. Although La Piccola Maria Pizzeria specializes in unique pizza toppings with wonderfully cooked pizza crust, wonderful steak and seafood options are on the menu. For a romantic getaway for a couple’s night out or a family-friendly eatery, La Piccola Maria Pizzeria fits the bill.

Walkers Inn – Looking for a pub kind of dining experience? With a combination of Thai and British cuisines with a pub atmosphere, this is the place to watch that great Rugby or football game. Open since 2009 and located on the Southern end of Khao Lak within walking distance of Khao Lak beach, this casual eatery is a great option for those needing a family friendly venue. Walkers Inn has also cemented itself in many tourism circles for its additional services of transportation (air conditioned cars and limousines) and sightseeing packages.

Rusty Pelican – Who would have thought to bring Mexican cuisine to Thailand? The owners of Rusty Pelican of course! Established in Khao Lak in 2008 and located on Bang Niang beach, this eatery is close to many of the fine resorts of Khao Lak. This is a wonderful spot to enjoy a margarita and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature while sitting in the open-air gardens. Touted as one of the only Gastro Pubs in Thailand, specializing in fajitas, nachos, and Chili Con Carne, this eatery is a favorite among both the locals and visitors. This is a wonderful spot to enjoy a margarita and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature while sitting in the open-air gardens.

Mars Bar – Looking for something a little out of this world and fun? Try the Mars Bar. With British cuisine and fun on the mind this is a great place to sit and have a few brews while watching football. Located on the Bang Niang Beach, Mars Bar is near many of the fine resorts on Khao Lak. During the day, this eatery has a very casual café feel, but at night it turns up to a rock-n-roll destination bar and restaurant full of fun and excitement. Each evening has a different theme with Wednesday being quiz night and Tuesday and Thursday evenings being girls and boys nights where guests dress up as the opposite sex. Whatever the theme of the evening fun is the agenda.

Pizzeria Ristorante Bella Italia – With its open air patio and real Italian fare, this is a must try eatery in the Khao Lak area. Owned by an Italian chef, this restaurant specializes in both pizza and pasta dishes. Authentic Italian cuisine with fresh ingeredients is the key to this venues’ success. The casual setting of this restaurant located near the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park and Nang Thong Market makes it a great family-friendly restaurant.